Wave-force-utilizing device.



E. B. ARNOLD.

WAVE FORCE UTILIZING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. II. 1912. 1,214,257,, I Patented Ja11.30,1917. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I- I IIIIIII WITNESSES.

E. B. ARNOLD. WAVE FORCE unuzms DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AFR. ll. I912. 1,21%,25'Z. Patented Jan. 30,1917.

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EMMER B. ARNOLD, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

WAVE-FORCE-U'IILIZING DEVECE.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Jan. 36, 1917.

Application filed April 11, 1912. Serial No. 690,193.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMMER B. ARNOLD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a certain. new and useful WVave-Force-Utilizing Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining from waves the greatest available force, and particularly to an improvement over my co -pending applications for patents filed May 31st, 1911, Ser. No. 630,518, and October 21st, 1911, Ser. No. 656,053, respectively.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation illustrating the air c0mpartments, the valves within the chamber, and one of the pumps. Fig. 3 is a section on lines 3-3, Fig. 2, showing the bellows construction of the chamber, and the gates for preventing the water from entering the spaces between the bellows when expanded by the force of the waves. Fig. l is a secvtional elevation of one of the gravity plungers and the barrel in which it operates. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of one of the force pumps. Fig. 6 is a section on lines 66, Fig. 1, showing a mechanism for locking the chamber at a certain height, and

Fig. 7 is a section on lines 77, Fig. 6.

The invention comprises a chamber 1, having lateral folds 2, which permit of extension or expansion of the top and bottom of the chamber, the corners of the folds 2, being formed by folds 3, of stout but flexible material, whereby the entire chamber 1, is capable of expansion according to the pressure of the water.

Riveted on the sides and rear of the upper part A, of said chamber is a slide or gate 1, arranged to operate in a sl t formed by a plate 5, riveted to the side and rear of the lower part B, of said chamber, the said slide 1, serving to prevent the entrance of water into the eXpansible folds 2, and the escape of the water past the valves 11 and 27. The bottom of said chamber consists of a hollow floor 6, divided into compartments 7, for water, when it is desired to sink the chamber in time of storms or tilt same to any desired angle, or for air when said chamber is to float, air and water being supplied and eX- tracted from said compartments through pipes 8, connected with suitable sources of power. Said floor 6, is entirely separable and removable from said chamber 1, and for this reason is fastened to said chamber by any means, as for instance, winged nuts 9, which permit of the removal. of said bottom when it is desired to use the chamber with.- out it. l/Vithin said chamber are a plurality of horizontal shelves 10, which cooperate with hinged valves 11, to seal the water in the rear of the chamber 1. The top of said chamber 1, is provided with an enlarged bilge 12, having a compartment 13, formed by a wall 14, which is provided with an opening 15, normally closed by a flap valve 16. When the waves and the pressure are low, the flap valve 16, is held closed by cam elements 17, mounted on a shaft 18. on the end of which is keyed a pinion 19. in mesh with said pinion is a geared segment 20, fixed on a trunnion 21, which is mounted in the wall of the bilge 12. On the trunnion 21, is fastened a lever 22, carrying at its free end a float 23, adjustable thereon bv set screw 24. A support 2 1, on the chamber 1, serves to hold said float 23, when in its lowest position. When the waves are low, the float 28, riding on the surface thereof, will operate the pinion 19, and cause the cam elements 17, to be brought against the flap valve 16, which will then be held against the opening 15, in the wall 14, thus forming a smaller air chamber, and permitting the greatest force of these smaller waves to be concentrated on the rear of the chamber and bottom of bilge. For high tides and seas, the rising of the float 23, will operate the cam elements 17, in the opposite direction, whereupon, they now being free of Contact with the flap valve, 7 such flap valve will be raised to uncover the opening 15, by a spring 24:, which holds the said valve open during high pressures, giving greater air space and cushioning effect and preventing the water or air compressed within the compartment 13, from being sealed or confined therein by the closing of said valve due to the rebounding tendency of the fluids. 0n the underside of said wall 14-, is a valve 25, through which the air or water may escape from the compartment 13. This bilge 12, functions primarily to confine the fluids, whether air or water. and to obtain from such fluids the power and force which they exert on the expansion, the water in the rear of the chamber being forced to a suitable point for power purposes through outlets 26, on the chamber 1. At a point where the bilge 12, begins, a valve 27, is pivotally attached, the edge thereof resting normally on one of the shelves 10, all of the valves 11 and 27, permitting the ingress of the water, and pregenting the egress thereof from the cham- To additionally supplement the force of the incoming water and cause its ejection from the chamber through the outlets 26, a plurality of cylinders 28, are provided on the chamber, such cylinders housing weighty pistons 29, which are arranged to be elevated by the force of the waves, and drop, when the energy of the water has been expended, causing thereby a displacement of a large amount of water which being confined in the rear of the chamber, must escape through valve controlled outlets 26. A rectangular box 30, having communication with said chamber 1, through a port 31, is mounted on the rear of said chamber. Said box is provided with a flexible bag 32, open at the bottom and closed at the top, and a lid 33, which is attached to a U-shaped member 34, slidably mounted on rods 35, and which U- shaped member is held normally depressed, as shown in Fig. 2, by helical springs 36. When, therefore, the water, under high compression, enters the port 31, of the box 30, the bag 32, andits lid 33, will be raised against the tension of the springs 36, and as soon as the initial energy of the waves has been exhausted, the lid and bag will descend under the influence of the springs 36, expelling the water therefrom and giving it additional momentum. On the rear wall of said chamber 1, are pivotally fastened a plurality of piston rods 37, to which are secured pistons 38, operating in cylinders v39, mounted on a carriage 40, arranged to travel on trackways 41, as the chamber rises and falls under the varying pressures of the waves and tides. The pistons 38, are held in normal position as shown in Fig. 5 by springs 41. The cylinders are provided with intakes 42, controlled by valves 43, and outlets 44, controlled by valves 45. As is obvious, when the entire chamber 1, is forced back by the inrush of water, the pistons 38, will travel with the chamber and force out the water in the cylinders, the springs 41, forcibly returning the chamber 1, and drawing out the pistons which suck in a charge of water. Guide rods 46, pivotally attached to eyes 47, slidably mounted on stanchions 48, serve to steady the chamber 1, such rods extending through buckles 49, on the chamber. A. plurality of posts '50, mounted between ears 51, on a suitable foundation 52, are disposed on opposite sides of said chamber, the said posts being additionally held rigid by guy ropes 53. These posts50, ex-

tend through elongated slots 55, in plates 56, whereby the chamber 1, may reciprocate independently thereof and is held against excessive lateral sway. On said! posts 50, are blocks 57, through which extend rails 58, secured in members 59, projecting from and secured to the sides of said chamber. By this means the chamber may reciprocate longitudinally and vertically in accordance with the variations of the waves and water surface. In order to hold said chamber at a proper height with respect to the waves, and thereby obtain the greatest available force from the water, cams 60 are mounted on arbors 61, in housings 62, of said blocks 57, levers 63, being mounted on said arbors 61, such levers having floats 64, adjustable thereon, and operating in guide way 65. When the floats 64, rise with the incoming waves, the cams 60, will be oscillated and causedto bear against the posts 50, which action locks or holds the bottom B of the chamber against vertical movement while the upper portion is expanded relatively thereto by the incoming water. The floats 64, gravitate to their normal position when the waves recede, and release the cams from engagement with said posts, as is obvious.

A similar provision is made for holding the rear of the chamber 1, and its connected power producing means at a determined level, for obtaining the most power and the greatest bulk of water from incoming waves. This provision consists of a float disposed on each side of the chamber 1, each float having vertical standards 67 connected by a horizontal rod 68, which extends through and operates in elongated slots 69, of bars 70, pivotally mounted on the top of said chamber, which, by this arrangement, is capable of moving in a vertical and a longitudinal plane. The aforementioned floats 66, are connected to frames 71, which are pivotally attached to bars 72, slidably mounted on upright stanchions 73. A plurality of said upright stanchions are provided with. teeth 74, for engagement by paw-ls 7 5, pivoted on said bars 72. To the ends of said pawls 75, are fastened springs 76, the other ends of which are attached to tangs 77, depending from the frames 71. When the floats 66, rise under the pressure of the waves, the tangs 77, moving with the frames 71, will cause the pawls 75, to engage the teeth 74, of the upright stanchions 73, and in so doing lock the rear of the chamber and hold same immovable in a vertical direction until, by the falling of the floats 66, the pawls 75, are disengaged from the teeth 74.

The aforementioned floats 6.6, are provided with suitable pipe connections 76, for supplying air thereto when it is desired to give "said floats more buoyancy by expelling water therefrom, and with water. when it. is

desired to bring same to a lower level and sink same. Pipe connections 77, are also provided to permit of the escape of the air and water.

As is clear, the upper part A, of the chamher will be moved by the floats 66, while the lower part B, is held stationary by the locking cams 60, controlled by the floats 64, as hereinbefore explained. WVhere it is not desired to have this effect produced by the ioats 66, the bars 70, and the connections therewith and the floats may be removed, by merely uncoupling Said bars 70, from the ears TS, in which they are fastened.

The expansibility of the chamber 1, prevents rupture of the same in rough seas when the force of the waves is such as would tend to work injury to a solid structure. Additionally such provision is made for the purpose of enabling a larger body of water to enter and be forced through the outlets, since after the expenditure of the initial force of the wave, the pressure, becoming steady, enables the chamber to return to normal position, thus assisting in the forcing of water through the outlets, the escape of the same through the intake end being prevented in a large measure by the bulk and pressure of the water. outside of the chamber.

"What I claim is:

l. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having a water cushioning'chamber, and a plurality of outlets beyond said chamber.

2. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having a water cushioning chamber, a valve in said chamber, and means to hold said valve closed in low tides.

3. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure, and means to hold said inclosure at a determined level.

A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure, and automatic means for holding said inclosure at a determined level.

A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure and floats to hold said inclosure at a determined level.

6. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an expansible inclosure, and means to hold the bottom of said inclosure stationary and at a'determined level.

fiopies or this patent may be obtained for 7. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having a removable bottom and provided with means for forcing water to a suitable point.

8. A device for utilizing the force of waves comprising an inclosure having a removable bottom divided into a plurality of compartments, and means to supply air or water to said compartments.

9. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having a removable bottom consisting of air or water compartments.

10. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an expansible inclosure capable of vertical and longitudinal movement for forcing water, and means to limit such movements.

11. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an expansible inclosure provided with a removable air or water receiving bottom, means to hold said inclosure stationary during the expansion thereof, and means to expand said inclosure.

12. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having vertical and longitudinal movement, means to limit the vertical movement of said inclosure, and means having vertical movement with said inclosure and operable by the longitudinal movement thereof to force water.

13. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an expansible inclosure having water forcing means thereon, and means to hold said inclosure at tide level.

14-. A device for utilizing the force of waves, comprising an inclosure having an air chamber, Water forcing means on said inclosure, means to hold said inclosure afloat, and means to lock said inclosure at a certain level.

15. A device for utilizing the force of waves comprising an inclosure having a removable bottom and water forcing means on said inclosure.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EMMER B. ARNOLD.

Witnesses:

F. J. MOCLARY, ANTON Gnonrznna, J r.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

